Gibson Dunn and Swiss firm Bär & Karrer have been called in to advise on a joint venture between Marriott International and Lefay Resorts, as Marriott seeks to expand its footprint in the luxury wellness sector.
Gibson Dunn is representing Maryland-based Marriott and Bär & Karrer is assisting the Leali Family, owners of Lefay Resorts.
The Gibson Dunn team is led by partner Marwan Elaraby and includes associates Krishna Parikh and Caitlin Moss. Partner Claire Shepherd and associate Aakarsh Narula are advising on antitrust aspects.
Partner Andrea Ziswiler leads Bär & Karrer’s team, with support from partner Rocco Rigozzi and associate Martina Giacometti.
Marriott said it plans to work with the Leali family to “grow the brand around the world, leveraging Marriott’s powerful development capabilities”.
Founded in 2006 by Domenico Alcide and Liliana Leali, the Lefay portfolio features two luxury resorts in Lago di Garda and Dolomiti, Italy. Additionally, the brand is developing three properties in Tuscany, Southern Italy and the Swiss Alps.
Lefay is the first brand in Marriott’s portfolio dedicated exclusively to luxury wellness. The Lefay brand will sit within Marriott’s Luxury Group, alongside Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, Edition, W, JW Marriott and The Luxury Collection. Lefay’s existing and future resorts will operate under long-term hotel management agreements with the new joint venture. Lefay’s existing brand and intellectual property assets will also be folded into the new entity.
“Lefay represents a new expression of luxury, one that is wellness‑first, deeply experiential and emotionally resonant,” said Tina Edmundson, Marriott International’s president of luxury. “As guest expectations continue to evolve, our collaboration with Lefay will allow us to thoughtfully extend our luxury offerings into a space where wellbeing is not just an amenity, but the heart of the travel experience.”
Lefay properties are designed as eco-resorts in natural environments using sustainable materials and providing wellness programmes focused on movement, nutrition and preventive health.
“Our family founded Lefay nearly 20 years ago with a clear vision: to create destinations where wellbeing, nature and health come together authentically,” said Lefay founders Domenico Alcide and Liliana Leali. “We are deeply honoured to begin this collaboration with Marriott and to further advance our vision of bringing the Lefay brand to the world.”
The Leali’s are known for their entrepreneurial ventures. In 1989, they founded the airline Air Dolomiti, which Star Alliance carrier Lufthansa purchased in 2003 after a long partnership.
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